Natural Bridge State Park. I'm still getting used to hearing it and many of us here at Virginia State Parks keep saying "Natural Tunnel State Park" by mistake. After all, for our careers we have been explaining to people that Natural Bridge isn't a state park. 

A close up view of the Natural Bridge

But on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 it will become the 37th Virginia State Park with great fanfare. It is an appropriate day for its opening since it's National Public Lands Day, a day we celebrate the land of the people - parks and other properties protected by the government (at all levels) for us all to enjoy. OUR PUBLIC LANDS.

Admission to the Park will be free for the day. 

Saturday, Sept. 24, Natural Bridge State Park
8:30 a.m. Shuttles start running
10-11 a.m. Opening Celebration
Explore the Park
7-9 p.m. Concert: The Dancing Chicken Band

So much more than the bridge --
the 1500 acres feature incredible vistas like this one of the Blue Ridge Mountains

In 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased the bridge and 157 surrounding acres from King George III of England for 20 shillings. The bridge passed from one private owner to the next and became a tourist destination. For nearly 250 years the Bridge stayed in private hands and that was fine; until it wasn't.

Lace Falls

In May 2013 then owner Angelo Puglisi announced his plan to sell the Natural Bridge complex before the end of the year. Local communities passed resolutions (Rockbridge, Lexington and Buena Vista), and land trusts across the state and nation urged a positive outcome.  The Valley Conservation Council and Rockbridge Area Conservation Council  assumed leadership roles and hosted tours, wrote articles, encouraged support and formed the Friends of Natural Bridge.

Experience life in a typical Monacan Indian Settlement

On Feb. 6, 2014, the dream to ensure the protection of the bridge in perpetuity came together thanks to the non-profit Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund and its leader Tom Clarke. Puglisi gifted the bridge and 188 acres of the property — valued at $21 million — to the fund. The nonprofit group agreed to pay for the remaining 1,300 acres with a loan from the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Resources Authority.

While the Commonwealth will not own the Natural Bridge property until the debt is paid off, Virginia State Parks will begin management of the approximately 1,500 acres and facilities. The State Park does not include the Natural Bridge Hotel and Conference Center or the Caverns at Natural Bridge. 

Natural Bridge is located just off Exit 175 on I-81 in Virginia between Lexington and Roanoke:

Look for the park's website and more information on the park coming soon.

Natural Bridge State Park in the spring